BBC star Gary Lineker 'must sign up to be silent' as he faces ‘difficult’ Match of the Day decision
BBC presenter Gary Lineker is facing a 'difficult' decision when it comes to Match of the Day
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BBC presenter Gary Lineker must 'sign up to be silent' if he's to stay as Match of the Day presenter, GB News have been told.
The 62-year-old isn't afraid to mince his words and is often outspoken on social media.
There was controversy earlier this year when he compared the current Conservative government to 1930s Germany.
Lineker was given a dressing down from BBC bosses but there was a backlash and, in the end, the presenter was able to maintain his role.
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The BBC have recently introduced new social media guidelines specifying what their staff are allowed to express their views on.
And former BBC Radio 4 presenter Roger Bolton says Lineker is facing a 'difficult' decision when it comes to staying on Match of the Day.
Bolton told GB News that Lineker will have to 'sign up to be relatively silent' to remain in the role.
He said: "Well I think what's interesting is it looks as though the BBC are going to get Match of the Day back, ITV aren't going to bid.
"So they'll have to make a decision down the line about who they want to present it.
"And that's a decision for Gary Lineker that will be difficult.
"He'll be presented with a contract that will put into the contract these BBC guidelines.
"And he has a show that is one of the most important shows and he is a figure who, for many people, represents the BBC.
"[He will] have to sign up to be relatively silent in future or express his views very carefully."
ITV had expected to bid for the rights for Premier League highlights.
But the BBC now have a free path in front of them after their rivals declined to bid for them.
Per the Daily Telegraph, the BBC want Lineker to stay at presenter of the iconic football show.
The former Tottenham and Leicester star has, however, continued to take aim at the government on social media.
He recently targeted Suella Braverman for comments the home secretary made about the conflict in Gaza.
Braverman said: "I agree with the Prime Minister.
"It is entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London.
"If it goes ahead there is an obvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people."
Lineker then hit back by saying: "Marching and calling for a ceasefire and peace so that more innocent children don’t get killed is not really the definition of a hate march."
Lineker is just one of five people who have been regular main presenters on Match of the Day.
Kenneth Wolstenholme was the first, bringing highlights to fans in Britain between 1964 and 1967.
David Coleman had a six-year stint as Match of the Day presenter, with Jimmy Hill then taking on the role from 1973 to 1988.
And, before Lineker was given the job in 1999, Des Lynam was the face of the programme.
The BBC's new social media policy has already sparked a backlash within the corporation.
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BBC have been rocked with Carol Vorderman choosing to quit the broadcaster
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One presenter who hasn't been willing to back down and soften their views is Carol Vorderman, with the 62-year-old confirming her departure from the BBC on Wednesday.
“The BBC recently introduced new social media guidelines, which I respect," she said on X.
"However, despite my show being light-hearted with no political content, it was explained to me that, as it is a weekly show in my name, the new guidelines would apply to all and any content that I post all year round.
“Since those non-negotiable changes to my radio contract were made, I’ve ultimately found that I’m not prepared to lose my voice on social media, change who I am, or lose the ability to express the strong beliefs I hold about the political turmoil this country finds itself in.
“My decision has been to continue to criticise the current UK government for what it has done to the country which I love – and I’m not prepared to stop. I was brought up to fight for what I believe in, and I will carry on.
“Consequently I have now breached the new guidelines and BBC Wales management have decided I must leave. We each must make our decisions.”